FC Dallas once again made a one-goal lead stand up, holding on for a 1-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids and maintaining their lead atop the Western Conference. The win was the eighth of the season for the Hoops, with seven coming by a one-goal margin.
Carlos Ruiz didn't set the MLS record for consecutive games scoring a goal, but he did set up Kenny Cooper for the game's only goal in the 32nd minute.
That was all the Hoops needed, although there were a few scares along the way from the tough Colorado side.
"Very pleased: one-nil result, clean sheet in tough conditions," said FCD head coach Colin Clarke. "I was a little disappointed we didn't get a second goal and kill them off in the first half or the start of the second."
The Hoops had several chances, especially in the first half, that should have been buried. In the first 20 minutes especially FC Dallas had Rapids goalkeeper Joe Cannon on his heels and looking harried.
Ramon Nunez made his return to the lineup after missing the last game through injury, although he had to come off for a substitute in the 51st minute after possibly suffering a recurrence of his right ankle injury.
"Delighted to get him back," said Clarke. "He might have tweaked his side a little bit again -- that's why we took him out -- so fingers crossed."
In a bit of a surprise, David Wagenfuhr entered the game in the 51st minute for Nunez and took over his wide midfield role. He has been a left back for the entirety of his professional career -- and the change of pace nearly turned into a goal in the 90th minute.
"I thought he had done very well," said Clarke. "He gives us a little bit more of a solid look in there, a little work up and down and do all those good things and was unlucky not get on the end of one or two and score tonight."
Although there wasn't more production, the early onslaught for FC Dallas was a welcome change after going down early to Columbus in the last home loss on June 3.
"I think we got at them early because of what happened in the Columbus game -- you know we had that week off and came out really badly so tonight our main goal was to not start off so badly," Clarke said.
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
